Reading Notes: Native American Hero Tales, Part A
Bibliography: Tales of the North American Indians, by Stith Thompson.
Bluejay and His Companions
This week I am focusing on Plot and Characters.
The story of Bluejay and His Companions begins with the reader learning that Bluejay is a bully and he and his four friends are mean to Grouse, who lives with them. They go hunting and always give the leanest parts of the meat to Grouse because Bluejay says he does not deserve better. Grouse takes his revenge by building a wooden seal to trick the men next time they go hunting. The men spear the wooden seal and are dragged far far away. One of the men drowns so Bluejay is left with only three companions. They finally reach land where Bluejay has to compete against one of the natives of the land in a climbing contest. He wins and kills his competitor so the people let him and his companions go. They leave and go to a different village where Bluejay is challenged again. This time it is a diving competition. Diving is not Bluejay's strength so he decides to cheat, with the help of his companions. He wins the contest and his group is allowed to move on. At the next village they come to, they are challenged again, but this time all four members must participate. They have to withstand the heat of the sweat-house longer than the villagers. They cheat again and are allowed to go. They have to face one more challenge at the next village but they escape and make it home, and from that day on they are respectful to Grouse.
I think the lesson of this story is something like don't bully or treat others how you want to be treated. The story is one of revenge, where the bad guys get taught a lesson for their sins.
Characters:
Bluejay is mean, loudmouthed, boastful.
The Chief is mean, powerful, unwise.
Grouse is sly, quiet, vengeful.
Bluejay and His Companions
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| (Image Information: Earless Seal, Wikipedia) |
This week I am focusing on Plot and Characters.
The story of Bluejay and His Companions begins with the reader learning that Bluejay is a bully and he and his four friends are mean to Grouse, who lives with them. They go hunting and always give the leanest parts of the meat to Grouse because Bluejay says he does not deserve better. Grouse takes his revenge by building a wooden seal to trick the men next time they go hunting. The men spear the wooden seal and are dragged far far away. One of the men drowns so Bluejay is left with only three companions. They finally reach land where Bluejay has to compete against one of the natives of the land in a climbing contest. He wins and kills his competitor so the people let him and his companions go. They leave and go to a different village where Bluejay is challenged again. This time it is a diving competition. Diving is not Bluejay's strength so he decides to cheat, with the help of his companions. He wins the contest and his group is allowed to move on. At the next village they come to, they are challenged again, but this time all four members must participate. They have to withstand the heat of the sweat-house longer than the villagers. They cheat again and are allowed to go. They have to face one more challenge at the next village but they escape and make it home, and from that day on they are respectful to Grouse.
I think the lesson of this story is something like don't bully or treat others how you want to be treated. The story is one of revenge, where the bad guys get taught a lesson for their sins.
Characters:
Bluejay is mean, loudmouthed, boastful.
The Chief is mean, powerful, unwise.
Grouse is sly, quiet, vengeful.
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